The Status of the Albanian Society According to Leke Dukagjini’s Canon

Abstract

This study brings into consideration the way of organization of the Albanian society on the basis of Lek Dukagjini’s Canon. This type of organization is quite radical; it resembles a Republican system of government because the highest authority is not a person, but the Senate, and because nor the kryevojvojd or kryebajraktar are absolute rulers, but they are implementers of the decisions of the Assembly. The assembly is an indisputable institution and it is invoked whenever there is a request from its members. And nor the ruler or any other authority has the power to oppose it. From the study that we have done, we have come to the conclusion that from the inside the Albanian society was a Republic but from the outside it was an Imperial. There exists a spirit of equality, but not with fair rights and same proportions for everyone. This study is a result of an extensive work in the State Archive for the Institute of the Albanian Studies in the years 1940 - 1944, whose work has had an important role regarding the status of Albanian society under the Leke Dukagjini’s canon.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n8p642